Architecture should be considered just as much for animals as for people, and <a href="http://www.gensler.com/#aboutus/offices/11" target="_blank">Gensler's Houston office</a> definitely got that concept while designing the <a href="http://www.adoptfriends4life.org/about/our-shelter" target="_blank">Don Sanders Adoption Center for Friends For Life</a>. Built into an existing building, this LEED-certified <a href="http://www.adoptfriends4life.org/about/mission" target="_blank">No Kill shelter</a> takes animals into consideration first with specially designed rooms that help reduce stress. Natural daylighting, animal- and people-safe cleaning systems, energy-efficient design, fresh air and special noise-reducing acoustics are all part of the plan for this life-preserving shelter.

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Friends For Life-Gensler

The <a href="http://www.adoptfriends4life.org/about/our-shelter" target="_blank">Don Sanders Adoption Center</a> is located in an existing warehouse in an urban, mixed-used community near downtown.

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Friends For Life-Gensler

Rather than a remote, out-of-town site, an urban location like this places the shelter near where people can access it to encourage more adoptions, volunteer work and donations.

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Friends For Life-Gensler

<a href="http://www.gensler.com/" target="_blank">Gensler</a> worked closely with Friends For Life (FFL) and learned from other humane shelters and experts from around the country to renovate the warehouse into safe space that celebrates life.

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Friends For Life-Gensler

The ground floor is dedicated to the animals and includes space for utilities, storage, exam rooms and reception. For the dogs, there are kennels and a living room-like area for potential adopters to get to know the pups.

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Friends For Life-Gensler

The cats enjoy a spacious activity room with lots of room to play and roam. Natural light reaches every room, every animal and even every person.

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Friends For Life-Gensler

An upper floor provides office space for the FFL staff.

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Friends For Life-Gensler

Gensler's design places the animals first to provide them a healthy, safe and reduced-stress environment. Besides the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/daylighting" target="_blank">natural daylighting</a>, fresh air from the outside is brought in to change 100% of the air 15 times an hour.

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Friends For Life-Gensler

The project has been awarded a LEED certification and is the only such <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No-kill_shelter" target="_blank">No Kill shelter</a> of its kind in Texas.

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Friends For Life-Gensler

Ground Floor Plan.

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Friends For Life-Gensler

First floor plan.

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Friends For Life-Gensler

Architecture should be considered just as much for animals as for people, and Gensler's Houston office definitely got that concept while designing the Don Sanders Adoption Center for Friends For Life. Built into an existing building, this LEED-certified No Kill shelter takes animals into consideration first with specially designed rooms that help reduce stress. Natural daylighting, animal- and people-safe cleaning systems, energy-efficient design, fresh air and special noise-reducing acoustics are all part of the plan for this life-preserving shelter.